Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal now has the attention of Congress and the DOJ

The US Justice Department has reportedly opened a criminal investigation into Volkswagen over the German automaker's alleged cheating on US emissions tests. This follows an Environmental Protection Agency notice issued Friday claiming Volkswagen deliberately dodged air-pollution rules so that nearly 500,000 diesel-powered automobiles sold since 2008 would appear to meet federal standards. The EPA issued a violation of the Clean Air Act and opened its own investigation. Now, the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division is conducting a separate probe alongside mounting pressure from the German government, according to The Wall Street Journal today.

The allegations cover popular Volkswagen models including the Jetta,...